Monday, April 8, 2013

Literacy with an Attitude by Finn – Extended Comment and Connection

Sorry that my blog is a little late, I was sick this weekend
and I was in New Hampshire for a dance competition.When I was reading this blog I found myself
having to go back and reread paragraphs over again.Then when it came time to write my blog I had
no idea which option to choose.

Connection to Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol

When I read Marissa’s blog and saw
her last quote it reminded me of Kozol.The quote Marissa picked from Finn was when Finn says, “When students
begin school in such different systems, the odds are set for them” (25).Kozol really emphasizes the cycle that keeps
poor people in their place.This same
cycle connects to children in these poor schools.If a child is not given the materials needed
to learn then how can society expect them to overcome the odds and get out of
that cycle, get out of the bad neighborhood.Society wants these inner-city kids to not take the easy way out and sell drugs on
the street.But society does expect them
to do all of that without a proper education.That seems fair, right? Giving the children who need the structure the
most, the least amount of structure and education is simply not right.

I agree with how Marissa said that this quote basically sums
up Finn’s whole argument.A child can
only do so much with the material that they have.These children from the poor school districts
are not dumb, they just do not have the types of materials they need to
succeed.

Point to Share: School is supposed to give you the material
you need to be successful in life.But if
you are not given any materials then how are you supposed to succeed?